The Indian Urban Observatory(IUO) is a flagship asset for developing data driven governance under the Smart city Initiative for the Government of India. Semester 6 and 4 students visited the IUO today on 6 March 2024. Upon their arrival in the committee room, they were addressed by Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. currently serving as the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs & Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. His presence had a mesmerizing effect on students. A discussion was carried out on the journey of the Government of India from 2014 to 2023 in transforming the urban landscape. The students had the opportunity to engage in a brief QnA ranging from topics on waste management, ICT to accessibility for special needs.

The project lead of the Smart City Mission briefed the students on the paradigm shift in Urban India talking about the 20 major cities transformed through this decentralized means of development. Insightful conversations with IAS officer, Mr Rajiv Jain were shared on the future the Government aims to build as early as 2030. It was a truly informative and inspiring industry visit.